Robin Roy has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc and a PhD in Design Technology from the University of Manchester. After engineering apprenticeships in the UK and Sweden, and a short period of teaching in the USA, he joined the Open University in 1971 as one of the first lecturers in Design. At the OU he has contributed to many courses and led many research projects on design, innovation, and the environment, and in 1999 was awarded a personal chair in Design and Environment. After retiring in 2012 as one of the longest serving OU academics he became an Emeritus Professor and is still active in teaching, writing, and research.
“In Creative Design and Innovation, Robin Roy provides an in-depth critical, contemporary analysis of some familiar and less familiar product and architectural designs. Roy illustrates the origins of creativity and the critical elements and lessons for innovation success.” Rachel Cooper (OBE), Distinguished Professor of Design Management and Policy, Lancaster University “No-one is better qualified than Robin Roy to write this book. It includes engaging case studies on innovations such as the smartphone, pneumatic tyres, sustainable housing, and many more, with clear explanations of why they succeeded or proved unsuccessful in practice.” Vivien Walsh, retired Professor of Innovation, Alliance Manchester Business School “Robin Roy is a master of drawing fundamental lessons from case studies of designers. This book unpacks the mysteries of the design and innovation process underpinning a broad range of disciplines. It provides practical guidance for aspiring innovators and a template for design researchers exploring case studies of designing.” Peter Lloyd, Professor of Design Methodology, TU Delft “There are many books on creativity, design and innovation, but what intrigues me about this one are the extensive case studies that bring its insights to life. Particularly valuable are the built environment examples, not often included in books on innovation.” Bettina von Stamm, Innovation Philosopher, Founder Innovation Leadership Forum “Drawing on multiple case studies, Creative Design and Innovation provides grounded insights on design and innovation which should be of immense value to a wide audience, including most notably, practitioners, academics and students.” Matthew Cook, Professor of Innovation, School of Engineering and Innovation, The Open University